Bowling pin setting machine



Dec 11 1951 G. J. SCHMIDT BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE 6 Sheets--Sheet l Filed Dec. 22, 1945 G. J. SCHMIDT BOWLING P`IN SETTING MACHINE Dec. 11, 1951 Filed Dec. 22, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet I 74 26 ,216 170..- `1221 pf2@ 162 202 HG 2 214 17^ 152 Il /125 202 160 200 252/ 153 00 162 160 K 4 11 210 r 206 160 160 162 26 236y 216 154 162 196 gg 16* 251 16@1 5% 2@ 156 MQ 0 I I Y n 0 l?? 7406 K3 #-6 5 166| 15a 06156 @j j S3 [e267 2QK1L SQ \25 0 234 ,Y 116 95 75 111 30 111 132 76 j l. --22 H- f4 22 p f6 M [0 o 7 l )254 77' f1-3 Y16 'I4' f2 32 11 40 79 l/ (35 116 Z5 3 a@ 24 o 2a 26 245 3] 22g 94 A )c 2 1 x l l f n La; 295 1.10/ l LQ, l 110122/ l" l 796 50 I I II I W A 90 [66 l V 1194 190 112 I i112 190 INVENTOR GOTTFRIED J. SCHMIDT BY p5# En) ATTORNEY Dec- 11, 1951 G. J. SCHMIDT BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE 6 Shees--Sheeifl 3 Filed Dec. 22, 1945 NQ. @mwN @MN www kk SSN www. @D

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INVENToR GOTTFRIED J SCHMIDT BY%? TroR'NEY G. J. SCHMIDT BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE Dec. l1, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 22, 1945 QQM,

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XOm I OWFZOO Patented Dec. l1, .1951

BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE Gottfried J. Schmidt, Pearl River, N. Y., assigner to American Machine and Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application December 22, 1945, Serial No. 636,737

10 Claims. l

This invention relates to bowling pin setting machines and more particularly to completely automatic bowling pin setting machines in which all operations of spotting and respotting pins during the course of play are automatically carried out and balls are returned to the player so that at the conclusion of the spotting or respotting operation, as the case may be, play can be continued from frame to frame under all conditions for the entire game.

This invention relates generally to a machine of the type shown in Schmidt patent, No. 2,346,189, issued April 11, 1944, although its use is not limited entirely to that type of machine any may nd applicationin other bowling pin setting machines.

One of the problems present in a bowling pin setting machine is that of handling the pins and balls with as great rapidity as possible in order that pins can be removed quickly from the pit of a bowling alley and delivered to a station where they are available for transfer to the spotting mechanism. It is also highly desirable that the operation of the pin removing and conveying mechanism be such that the pins be delivered to the storage station or magazine with a minimum of delay in the operation of the machine after the throwing of each ball so that a maximum number of games can be played with a given machine in a minimum of time.

The present invention relates to the solution of this problem and embodies the provision of mechanism which solves this problem and increases the general operating efficiency of the machine. In this manner more games can be played in a minimum of time and there is a net gain to the owner or operator of bowling pin establishments where every minute saved in the operation of a machine is of considerable importance financially.

The present invention, therefore, takes into consideration the desirability of increasing the speed and efficiency of the operation of bowling pin setting machines by simplifying the design thereof through simplification of parts, which results in a decrease in cost, and also a reduction in weight of the machine.

According to my invention I have provided mechanism which makes possible a faster loading of the pin storage or magazine to which pins are delivered cyclically after the throwing of each ball of the frame. Faster loading is the result of improved handling of pins after they are removed from the pit of a bowling alley and delivering them as quickly as possible to the pin storage. That is, during the rst ball cycle after the pins have been removed from the pit of an alley, all pins knocked down are immediately transferred to storage or conveyed part way thereto so that some pins are delivered to storage and others are located at intermediate points along the way when the first cycle of operations ceases. After the second ball of a frame is thrown, all pins which were knocked down by the rst and second balls are returned to storage and a new set of pins is placed on the alley awaiting throwing of the next ball. It will be seen, therefore, that there is a gain in time resulting from handling pins in this manner due g to the fact that it is not necessary to wait until the last ball of a frame is thrown before pins are made available for transfer from the storage to the pin spotters.

In order to make possible the moving of the pins as quickly as possible into the storage magazine, as set forth above, I have provided mechanism which effects the removal of a full set of pins from storage and the delivery of these pins into the pin spotters after the throwing of the rst ball of a frame. The removal of each set of pins from storage sets into operation the pin conveying mechanism so that pins knocked down by the first and second balls or the number of balls allotted per frame can be delivered into storage, as described hereinabove, without waiting until the last ball of a frame is rolled.

It is an object of my invention, therefore, to provide an improved automatic bowling pin setting machine of simplified design in which pins are transferred into a storage magazine after each ball of va frame is thrown in order to gain time and make possible a more efficient use and operation of the bowling pin setting machine comprising my invention.

It is a further object of my invention to provide mechanism which results in a faster loading of the storage magazine of a bowling pin setting machine especially in the second ball cycle in order to increase the general eiiiciency and speed of operation of the bowling pin setting machine comprising my invention,

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved bowling pin setting machine in which the pin transfer mechanism which transfers pins from the storage magazine to the pin spotting mechanism operates shortly after the iirst ball of a frame is rolled in order that pins can be conveyed towards or into the storage magazine thereof.

It isa further object of my invention lto provide a bowling pin setting machine having a single cam shaft on which is mounted a plurality of cams, and clutch operating means preferably electro-magnetically controlled, which are responsible for the activation of the clutches at the proper time to effect the desired sequence of operations in the pin handling, distribution, and spotting and respotting during the course of play as the game progresses from frame to frame.

My invention also contributes to a saving of time in the operation of the machine by the provision of means for insuring that the pin spotters of the spotter-respotter table will contain a full set of pins available at all times for setting upon the alley whenever in the course of play it is desired to place a new set of pins on an alley.

The invention also consists in improvements in pin locating or repositioning mechanism for relocating pins at the pin loading station for proper delivery to the several pin transfers which convey pins from the loading station to the pin spotters. In this manner differences in girth or diameter of pins are automatically compensated for and each pin is located substantiallyv directly in the path of movement of a pin transfer. The spreaders which form a part of the repositioning mechanism are operated only after the first ball of' a frame is thrown so that the movement of pins into the loading station after the remaining lallotted number' of balls per frame is not obstructed.

Vith these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and form a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bowling pin setting machine embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same;

Figure 3. is ay partial plan view of the machine;

Figure, 4. is a partial side elevation, partly in section with parts broken away, showing the mechanism employed for transferring pins from the storage magazine to the setter cups, the pin relocating mechanism, and the mechanism for turning the table to effect a delivery of pins in the setter cups to the alley when the setter table is moved to pin spotting position relative to the alley;

Figure 5 is a plan view of Figure 4 with certain parts omitted for clearness; Y

Figure 6 is a View of a detail of the sweep safety mount; and

Figure 7 is a wiring diagram showing a suitable circuit for controlling the operation of the several parts of the machine.

In the embodiment selected for purposes of illustration, the machine is driven by a` motor I (Figure 2) provided with a pulley I0 on which runs a belt I2 continuously driving a pulley I4 mounted on a shaft I 6. A worm I8 secured to shaft IB meshes with worm wheel 2D keyed to a shaft 22 to which is attached the solenoid operated main clutch K1 of the machine. Clutch K1, which may be of the well-known Bliss type, is connected with the hub of a gear 24 loosely mounted on shaft 22. Gear 24 meshes with gear 26 (Figures 2 and 3) secured to the main cam shaft 28 of the machine. Cam shaft 28 is supported in suitable bearings mounted on the side frames of the machine.

Constantly rotating shaft i6 carries a sprocket 29 (Figure 2) on which runs a chain 3Q driving a sprocket 32 loosely mounted on shaft 34. The hub of sprocket 32 (Figure 1) is provided with a solenoid operated clutch K2 similar in construction and operation to clutch K1 which is actuated at the proper time in the operation of the machine, and engages or disengages sprocket 32 from shaft 34. thereby controlling the drive of the pin distributing mechanism of the machine. The control mechanism for clutches K1 and K2 is the same asshown and described in copendng Broekhuysen application, Serial No. 627,605, filed November 9, 1945, now Patent No. 2,559,274, granted July 3, 1951. Since this specific mechanism forms no part of my invention, further detailed showing and description is omitted in the interest of brevity.

The mechanism for handling and distributing pins is of the same general construction and similar in operation to that shown in Rundell patent, No. 2,388,707, granted November 13, 1945, for Bowling Pin Setter. This mechanism consists of a transverse ascending conveyor E, shown diagrammatically in Figure l, which carries pins removed by apron A frompit 5 and discharged into chamber 3 at the rear of bumper W upwardly, and deli-vers them one by one into a rectifying andr aligning conveyor, designated generally C', extending from a point adjacent the top or discharge end of conveyorE to a delivery point adjacent the loading station or storage, such as a magazine M.

Conveyor E is actuated intermittently at the proper time in the cycle of operations of the machine by a sprocket 36 mounted on shaft 34 to deliver pins from chamber 3 at the rear of bumper W to conveyor C which in turn delivers them to the loading station or magazine M. 'Ihe loading station M of the machine includes a pair of elongated, spaced, rotatable spirals 38 which assemble a plurality ofl pins, usually ten, for subsequent delivery to the several pin spotters II'. Conveyor C consists of a positively driven belt 64 having its active lap spaced from and extending substantially parallelto a stationary guide member 23|. Each spiral 38 carries a sprocket 4D driven by a chain 132 from a sprocket 4:1 fixed to shaft 46.

Shaft @"6 carries bevel gear 48 (Figure l) meshing with bevel gear 5U mounted on loading mechanism control shaft 34. Chain "i2 also drives sprocket 52 mounted. on one end of a horizontal shaft 54. The. other end of shaft has secured thereto a bevel gear 55 (Figure 2) meshing with bevel gear 58 mounted on a vertical shaft 66. Belt B4, which runs on a pulley G2 secured tothe lower end of shaft 65 and on pulley 53' on` shaft S5 supported by bracket Si, is the driven part of convey-o1' C. It is evident, therefore, that by means of the several drives described, conveyors C, E and spirals 33 are all operated simultaneously, and that when shaft Sli is idle these conveying mechanisms are also idle.

Adjacent one of the spirals 38 are located eleven loading contacts ,or switches 55 (Figure 3) which are normally open as the result of the engagement by pins with pivoted switch operating arms. 55a. when a predetermined number of pins P, eleven in theV illustrated showing, fill the magazine M. The. several switches are constructed and arranged and operate in a manner similar to those shown in said Rundell patent, No. 2,388,707, granted November 13, 1945, and further description and showing is deemed unnecessary.

Pins P are lifted out of the magazine or loading station M by means of ten individually and differentially movable grippers 68 suspended from a supporting frame designated generally N, which may be similar in construction to that described in the above mentioned patent to Rupert E. Rundell, No. 2,388,707, granted November 13, 1945. Grippers 68, as described more in detail hereinafter, are moved from aligned positions at the proper time to triangular pin delivery position relative to setter cups H0 on table T to effect the delivery of the pins held thereby into cups |10.

The pin setter-resetter table T illustrated may be of the same general construction as that shown in Nejedly patent, No. 2,298,718, granted October 13, 1942. Table T carries on one side ten pin spotting cups i0 and on the opposite side ten individually laterally movable respotting cups |12. This table is provided with sleeve support members 90 which mount it loosely for turning movement on hollow shaft 84. The ends of shaft 86 are secured to shoes 83 slidably supported in vertical guide channels 88 forming a, part of the frame work of the machine.

A gear 92 attached to or formed integrally on one of the support members 90 (Figure 2) meshes with a gear segment 92% pivotally mounted on a stud 96 secured to a bearing plate 98 slidable in one of the Vertical guide channels 88 (Figures 1 and 4). Gear segment 00 is provided with an actuating arm |50 (Figures 1 and 4) connected by adjustable rod M32 with one arm of lever |04. The other arm of lever |02 carries a cam follower |06 which runs in a'cam track 106er in cam '54. The rocking motion imparted by lever |04 to gear segment 90 effects a 180 turning of the pin setter table T, back and forth in the directions indicated by arrow AA (Figure 1).

Cam E0 which is loosely mounted on the main cam shaft 23 is provided with a hub forming a part of a suitable solenoid operated clutch K4 such as a well known Bliss clutch, which clutch when actuated effects an engagement or disengagement of cam 'it from the main cam shaft 28. Clutch K4 is actuated selectively in accordance with requirements arising as a result of the number of pins knocked down by each ball of a frame during the operation of the machine to turn table T from pin receiving position relative to transfer grippers 03 in order to locate pins held in spotters H0 butt end downward for delivery to the playing bed of the bowling alley, and also to move the table back through 180 in the illustrated embodiment at the conclusion of the pin spotting operation in order to relocate the spotters in pin receiving position relative to the pin transfers 00. The contour of cam track Iota accomplishes these desired turning movements of the table.

Table T is turned to position a set of pins held in spotters H0 with their butt ends depending downwardly up-on the alley every time a set of pins is to be conveyed to and spotted on the alley. This condition arises after the throwing of the rst ball of a frame if a strike is made or after the throwing of the second or last ball of a frame depending upon the number of balls allowed per frame. The specific control mechanism for controlling the operation of the machine insofar as the relation to theselective operation of clutch K4, in accomplishing the setting of pins on the alley is concerned, may be the same as that shown and described in copending Broekhuysen application, Serial No. 627,605, led November 9, 1945, now Patent No. 2,559,274, granted July 3, 1951. Since it forms no specific part of the invention, further description and showing thereof is omitted in the interest of brevity.

As described hereinafter, the turning of the table under the influence of cam 1li is closely associated with the up and down movement -of pin transfer grippers B8 in delivering pins to the spotters which is also controlled by cam 74.

The setter cups |10 and reseting cups |12 are the same in construction and operation as those disclosed in co-pending Broekhuysen application, Serial No. 627,605, filed November 9, 1945, now Patent No. 2,559,274 granted July 3, 1951, for Bowling Pin Setting Machine. The setter cups |10 and resetter cups |12 are preferably fluid operated. In the machine shown, suction is ern ployed to operate the spotters and respotters. Suction is supplied to spotters |10 at the propel' time in the operation of the machine by means of ducts H6 connecting the several pin spotting cups |19 to a source of supply conduit |22 through a solenoid operated control valve of conventional design, preferably supported on the table T, as shown in Figure 3).

The respotting cups ||2 on the opposite side of table T are also supplied with suction through an interconnected series of conduits |20 (Figure 3) from the source of supply conduit |22 through a solenoid operated suction control valve 33S of conventional design also secured to table T. Suction supply conduit |22 (Figure 3) is connected to a suitable source of suction, such as a suction pump of known design (not shown).

Locking mechanism is provided for the purpose of maintaining table T in proper spotter loading, and spotting and respotting positions. For this purpose, gear 92 is provided with a disk 93 attached to or formed integrally therewith having two peripheral notches 95 spaced 180 apart with which in spotter loading, spotting and respotting positions engages the nose of a spring biased lock arm l-li pivotally mounted on one of the pin setter table guide shoes t5. Lock arm 91 which is urged by spring 91a towards locking position relative to notches t5 in disk 93 is provided with a control arm 50 mounting on its free end a roller 19|. When arm 50 is engaged and depressed by control finger |53, the nose of lock arm 97 is disengaged from a notch 95 of disk 93 and table T is then free to turn. When released from engagement with finger |03, spring biased lock arm El rides on the periphery of the control disk S3 until a notch 95 is moved beneath the nose of lock arm 97, at which time spring 91a pulls it into locking engagement therewith. Control nger |03 (as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4) is mounted on a short shaft |05 supported by a suitable bearing bracket attached to the frame of the machine. Shaft |05 is actuated to lock and unlock the table turning mechanism by lever |97 attached to an adjustable link |09 connected to a lever 1|! mounted on a short shaft |15 mounted in a suitable lug extending from one of the side guide channels S3. Shaft |13 is rocked at the proper time by a cam lever l|5 attached thereto. Lever l5 carries a cam follower ||7 engaging a cam track IIS in cam 14.

Cam 'M is provided with cam tracks |06a and Ht. One of thesetracks |06a is designed to 7. effect. the turning operation of the pin setter table T at the proper time inthe sequence of operations of the machine. The other cam track H6 mentioned hereinabove controls the locking mechanism of pin setter table T.

The operations of frame N and transfer grippers 59 carried thereby are resolved into two distinct motions; the back. and forth movement of the grippers S8 between magazine M and pin dc,- livery position above setter table T, and the up and down movement of the frame N and the grippers S for removing pins from the magazine M and for delivering the same into the spotter cups lit on the table T. At. the predetermined time in the cyclic operation of the machine, suction is created in cups H to grip pins conveyed thereto by grippers 69. After locating pins in spotters Ht, frame N is raised, and the pins being gripped and held. by spotters l It are pulled out of grippers' 98 and remain held in cups H9 awaiting delivery to the alley. The operation and control of clutch K4 is such that whenever spotter cups llt are empty after the first ball of a frame is rolled, regardless of the number of pins knocked down, a new set of pins is removed from magazine M and delivered into cups Htl. rfhis means that the speed of operation of the machine is greatly accelerated because pins do not remain in chamber 3 at the rear of bumper W until at the end of a frame a new set of pins is delivered to the setter cups llt. Instead pins are continuously being returned from chamber to spirals '9 and made available for delivery to the spotters with a minimum loss of time.

Due to the fact that usage of pins results in a decrease in their diameter and because there is some variation in diameters of new pins, when the reduiredy number of pins is located between spirals 3E in the loading station or magazine M, the pins may not be located properly with respect to the several pin grippers Mechanism is, therefore, provided for repositioning the pins prior to their removal from the loading station by the grippers ft in order that each pin may properly gripped and delivered to the spotters.

As shown in Figure 4 there are provided a plurality of pin relocators or spreaders 28|). In the illustrated embodiment, nine spreaders 28! are employed and are mounted on shaft 23| to move upwardly between'the depending handle ends of pins supported by spirals 38 into engagement with the pins and shift them laterally relative to the spirals into positions directly in the paths of movement of the centers of the transfer grippers 63. Fixed to shaft 28| is a bell crank lever to one arm of which is connected an adjustable rod E93 pivoted at its other end to lever 2te on shaft 235 on which is xed a lever 23S provided with a cam follower 281 running in a cam track 233 on cam i4. The other arm of lever 232 has pivotally connected thereto a link 293 which in turn is pivotally connected to a lever 299 mounted on a shaft 292 extend-ing transversely across the machine beneath the spirals Lever 299 is provided with a cam surface Edi adapted to engage with a transverse bar 293 fixed to the underside of an H-member 295 adapted to slide vertically under the influence of cam surface 29| and cam 294 secured to shaft 292 adjacent the opposite side of the machine. H -member 295 is provided with spaced transverse guides 29S, 297 (as shown in Figure 4) for guiding the heads of pins moving into the loading station between spirals 28.. Guide 291 is provided with cut-outs or openings 298 through which spreaders lil 28|) can move into engagement with pins in the loading station for repositioning the same. H-member 295 is supported at its ends for vertical movement in channels in brackets 244 secured to the side frames of the machine.

In operation, whenever a set of pins is to be removed from the loading station and conveyed by transfer grippers |58 to spotters ||il, cam i4 is clutched to shaft 28, spreaders 28s move up- Wardly to relocate the pins and at substantially the same time cam surface 29| and cam 294 raise ifi-member 295 to lift the pins a short distance above spirals 38 so that as the transfer grippers move into engagement with the butt ends of the rrepositioned pins in the loading station or magazine M, downward pressure by the transfer grippers 68 and pins against spirals 38, which would tend to bow the latter outwardly is prevented and at the same time the pins are properly located for positive engagement by the transfer grippers 68.

Since cam le is clutched to shaft 23 only after the first ball of a frame is rolled, it is evident that the spreaders 28S and pin support or H- member 295 are operated only at this time. In this way the spreaders 23% are prevented from moving upwardly relative to spirals 3S and interfering with the movement of pins into the loading station or magazine M after the throwing of subsequent allotted balls of each frame and hence there will be no obstruction to the movement of pins into the loading station.

The back and forth motion of the pin grippers Si; on transfer frame N is effected by means of cam lever |2 provided with cam follower' i226 running in cam track |2 in cam |23 mounted on cam shaft 28. Cam lever |24 is provided with an arm i3d having pivotally connected thereto gear rack |32 meshing with a gear |33 (Figures 4 and 5) loosely mounted on stud |34 supported in a suitable bracket secured to bracket 82 on one of the side frames.

Gear 53 is formed integral with a gear i3@ meshing with gear |33 integral with sprocket Idil on which runs a chain |132 from a sprocket it@ on shaft it'. it will be evident that the rotation of cam |29, through its coaction with cam follower i215 on cam lever |2l, eiects the oscillation of shaft Uit rotatably supported in vertically movable arms i3 to move pin grippers et back and forth on frame N. This operation results in the movement of grippers S3 holding pins removed from magazine M from aligned side by side arrangement to triangular arrangement above spotter cups H53 and the return thereof to a point adjacent magasine M where a dwell in track |231" in cam |28 positions them until in the cycle of operation of the machine grippers E8 again move back and forth along support bars 255 on frame N. However, if a new set of pins is to be removed from the magazine and transferred to the setter table T, the up and down movement of grippers 58 is effected as described hereinafter, and such pins are placed in spotters H9.

The up and down motion of frame N and grippers 68 carried thereby is effected by a cam lever 1D. Cam follower l2 on an arm of lever 'i9 runs in a track 7| in cam it. The other arm of lever 10 is connected by link it to an arm of lever i9 which imparts the vertical up and down motion to frame N and pin grippers 68 at the proper time when clutch K4 is engaged. Cam lever 7U is loosely mounted on cam lever supporting shaft 80 supported. at each end by suitable bearing brackets 82 secured to the frame of the machine.

As shown in Figures 4 and '5, there are ten transfer grippers 68. The construction of these grippers is the same throughout so that only one need be described in detail. Each gripper 68 consists of a carriage member 6| provided with iianged rollers 263 running on rails 265 supported by transverse end and center frame members 261 of frame N. Attached to each carriage 6| is a cable 69 running on a driven pulley 21| and a suitable driving pulley 13. Preferably pulleys 13 (Figure have a plurality of grooves in order to obtain the desired frictional engagement between cables 69 and the surfaces of pulleys 13. Since some of the carriages 6| travel a greater distance than others, rails 265 are of different lengths, as shown in Figure 5. Driving gears |4|, |43, |45 and |41 are of varying diameters in order to effect the required differential movement of the several carriages 6| from the aligned position shown in full lines to the triangular arrangement, shown in broken lines in Figure 5. Each of these gears drives an appropriately sized gear on a stud shaft supporting one of the pulleys 13. Since the construction of all is the same, only one is described in detail. In Figure 4, gear |41 is shown meshing with gear |49 on shaft |49a suitably mounted on frame N.

Frame N which supports carriages 6| and the associated supporting and driving mechanisms described is mounted for oscillatory movement in a generally arcuate path in a manner similar to that shown in Rundell patent, No. 2,388,707, granted November 13, 1945, Y

It will be evident from the foregoing that the clutching and unclutching of cam 14 to shaft 28 due to the operation of solenoid actuated clutch K4, controls the up and down movement of frame N, also the turning of table T, and the locking mechanism therefor, and the operation of the pin spreaders or relocators 280 and the pin supporting device 296.

All other mechanisms of the machine, such as the sweep F and associated guard G, the pin lifting pit apron A, ball cradle L, which delivers balls to transverse runways 6, 1, and the several devices for effecting the down and up movement of table T to and from the alley, and the back and forth movement of pin grippers 68 on frame N are actuated by means of suitable cams secured to the main cam shaft 28.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, one end of frame N is supported by a pair of spaced levers 15 pivotally mounted on studs 11 in brackets 19 fixed to uprights 88. One end of each of the levers 15 is pivotally connected to a stud 8| in a bracket 83 suitably secured to frame N. The other end of each of the levers 15 is pivotally connected to an adjustable connecting rod 85 attached to the end of the lever 18 loose on shaft |39. A counter balancing spring 81 is attached to each of the levers 15 and to the side frame of the machine.

The movements of table T to and from the pin supporting bed of the alley for setting and/or resetting pins are effected by means of a cam |48 which in the illustrated embodiment is formed integrally with cam |28. Cam |48 is tracked by a follower |58 on lever |52 fulcrumed on shaft 80. One arm of lever |52 is pivotally connectedto a rod |53 provided with gear rack |54 meshing with gear |56 fixed to a horizontal shaft |58 supported by suitable bearings attached to the main frame of the machine. On each end of shaft |58 is secureda pulley |60 to which is attached one end of a cable |62, the other end of the cable being secured to a pin setter table guide shoe 86, mentioned heretofore.

A balance spring |64 encircling shaft |58 (Figure 3) is provided to counterbalance the weight of the pin setter table T. One end of spring |64 is anchored to the frame of the machine; the other end is attached to a flange |66 secured to shaft |58. Pin setter table T carries a cam wedge |68 (Figure 2) employed for the purpose of closing the pin setter table control limit switch 298 when the table reaches its lowermost or pin engaging and lifting position.

Main cam shaftl 28 mounts a cam |19 provided with cam tracks |1|, |13 on its opposite faces. Cam track |1| in one face of cam |10 is tracked by a cam follower |12 on cam lever |14 which operates the ball lift or cradle L. Cam track |13 on the other side is tracked by av cam follower |16 on cam lever |18 which operates the pit or pin lifting apron A. Apron A and ball lift L are of the same general construction and operation as disclosed in the Schmidt Patent 2,389,643, granted November 27, 1945. The front end of the pit apron A is elevated by means of a pair of cables |80, each of which is secured to a pulley |82 mounted adjacent an end of horizontal shaft |84 which is oscillated by means of a gear |86 (Figure 1) actuated by a reciprocating gear rack |88, the free end of which is pivotally connected to cam lever |18. The rear end of the pit apron A is wound up on a cylindrical roller mounted on a shaft |92. The latter is oscillated by means of a sprocket |94 and a chain |96, driven by a sprocket |98 mounted on the oscillating shaft |84. The ball cradle L is also raised and lowered by a pair of cables 268, each of which is secured to a pulley 202, both of which are mounted on a horizontal shaftl 204, oscillated by means of a gear 206 which is actuated by a reciprocating gear rack 208 pivotally connected to the free end of cam lever |14. The design of cam tracks |1|, |13 is such that after each ball of a frame is thrown, the ball lift L and apron A are raised to discharge a ball and pins from the pit for return to a player, and magazine M, respectively, after which apron A and cradle L are returned to the pit 5 (as shown in Figure 1).

Secured to main cam shaft 28 is a cam 2|0 having cam tracks 2| 2|3 provided on its opposite faces. Cam track 2| on one side is tracked by a cam follower 2|2 pivotally mounted on cam lever 2|4 which is responsible for the movement of guard G to and from the alley after each ball is thrown during the operation of the machine. Cam track 2|3 on the other side of cam 2|0 is tracked by a cam follower 2|6 on cam lever 2|8 which actuates the sweep mechanism of the machine. The guard as well as the sweep are of the same general construction as disclosed in Rundell patent, No. 2,250,503, issued July 29, 1941. The guard G consists chiefly of a guard plate 220 (Figure l) attached at each end to an arm 222, each arm being mounted on a bracket 224. One

bracket 224 is pivoted to a stud 226 held by av Sweep F (Figure 1) is interconnected with guard G and consists of a sweep board 23'! which at each end is supported by a bracket 238. Each bracket 232 is pivoted to a stud projecting from an endless chain 239, reciprocated by a sprocket 248 mounted on horizontal shaft 2li! supported by a pair of suitable bearingr brackets attached t arms 222. Both chains 229 run over idler sprockets 242 each pivotally mounted on a stud carried by one end of one of the links 243. The other end of each link 2653 is pivoted to a suitable supporting bracket 2154 secured to the frame of the machine. ShaftJ 24| is oscillated by means of a sprocket 2425i which through a chain 265 is driven from a sprocket 246 (Figures l, 2 and 3) mounted on shaft 22) on which one of the sweep arm brackets 224 is pivoted (Figure 2'). To shaft 239 is secured a sprocket 2li? which through a chain 242 is driven by a sprocket 2&9 mounted on the horizontal shaft 236. The latter carries a gear 250, the hub of which is provided with a solenoid operated sweep control clutch K3 by means of which the gear 252 is engaged with or disengaged from the shaft 235, in a manner similar to that shown and described in the above mentioned co-pending Broekhuysen application for incapacitating the sweep if a pin or pins should walk or move out of the range of the respotting cups H2 of the pin setter table T and prevent it from moving into pin lifting position relative to the alley after the first ball of a frame is rolled. Gear 250 is oscillated by a gear rack 251, the free end of which is pivoted to the cam lever 218.

If a pin or pins being removed from the alley is not properly positioned relative to the sweep, it may not be pushed into the pit of the alley at the end of the sweep operation. In such case, on the return movement of the sweep it may press on or bear against a curved surface of a pin, or jam against a pin with such pressure that breakage of parts an-d damage to the machine result. In order to overcome this condition and allow sweep 231 to yield upwardly away from an obstruction to its return movement a suitable sweep safety mount is provided.

yAs mentioned hereinabove, brackets 238 which support sweep 23? are pivotally mounted on side chains 239. The desired transverse arrangement of the sweep relative to the alley to be swept is maintained by side links 259 attached to each side bracket 239. Since the side supporting links and their associated connections are the same, only one is described herein. As shown in detail in Figure 6, one end of each link 26! is pinned to a chain 239. The other end is provided with an elongated slot 25! which slides over an elongated guide block 266 xedly secured to bracket 238 by pin 268. The length of slot 26! is sufficient to allow sweep .231 to clear any obstruction in its return path of movement, as by swinging upwardly in the direction of arrow Y. A spring 2 'i3 encircling link 250 and having its ends bearing against washers 215, also encircling link 260 vand held against pins 26S and 2711 on block 256 and link 260, respectively, urges sweep 231 downwardly into normal operative position.

All cam levers 24, 52, HG, lf3, 2id and EIS are loosely mounted on the cam lever supporting shaft 3G. To the main cam shaft 28 is also secured a sprocket 252 which by means of a chain 253 drives a sprocket 25d secured to the electrical control cam shaft 255 on which all electrical control cams (not shown) are mounted. These cams, as well as their electrical cdllit operating fingers (not shown) are enclosed in a housing H (Figures 2 and 3). Sprockets 252 and 255. driving the control cam shaft 225 are in a 1:2 ratio, i. e., for every two revolutions of the main cam shaft 23, the control cam shaft 255 makes only one revolution. This mechanism is shown and described in the co-pending Broekhuyse-n application, above referred to. Since it is not a part of the present invention, further description and showing thereof is omitted in the interest of brevity.

Figure 7 shows diagrammatically a, combined wiring diagram and control for the machine.

A ball dropping into the pit effects a clos ing of contacts 392e and Silla of wires 322 and B2i, respectively, which in turn causes the en gagement of the solenoid operated main clutch K1 located in the hub of gear 24 which is loose-r ly mounted on shaft 22 continuously driven by worm wheel 2i? engaging with worm i8 mounted on shaft I6. Shaft It has xed thereto pulley le driven through a belt I2 by a pulley i2 on the shaft of motor i. The engagement of the main clutch Ki causes gear 2d to be driven by shaft 22. Gear 24 in turn drives gear 2S mounted on main cam shaft 2S to which are secured all mechanical cams of the machine with the exception of cam 'is which is engaged with and disengaged from cam shaft 23 by means of solenoid operated clutch K4 attached to the hub of said can M, as described hereinabove.

Shaft l5 has secured thereto a sprocket 2S which through chain EU drives sprocket 32 loosely mounted on the loading conveyor mechanism driving shaft 34 which at the proper time during the operation of the machine is engaged with or disengaged from constantly rotating sprocket 32 by means of a solenoid operated loading clutch K2 attached to the hub of said sprocket 32.

As described hereinabove, the machine is also provided with a solenoid operated sweep clutch K3 attached to the hub of gear 252 for the purpose of engaging or disengaging gear 259 from its support shaft 2355 in order to impart the desired oscillating motion to the sweep mechanism shown in Figure 1.

The machine is provided with suitable controi mechanism for automatically controlling the operation of the machine in order to carry Out its prescribed operations as the play of a game progresses. Since the specific control mechanism does not form a part of my invention, flu'- ther showing and description thereof is omitted in the interest of brevity. Reference is made to co-pending Broekhuysen application, Serial No.. 627,605 led November 9, 1945; now Patent No, 2,559,274, granted July 3, 1951 for a full descrip' tion and illustration of the control mechanism.

In Figure 'l there is shown shaft 255 which supports a plurality of control cams (not shown) enclosed in housing H. Shaft 255 carries a sprocket 25d which drives the control cams (not shown) in synchronism and proper ratio by means of a chain 253 engaging with a sprocket 252 secured to the main cam shaft 28. The con trol box 8 contains all other electrical control apparatus and devices (not shown).

disclosed in the above mentioned Broekhuysen application.

A wire conduit I l connecting the housing YH and the control box is provided. All solenoids of the solenoid operated clutches K1, K2, `Ks and K4 are; connected to a suitable power line 500 These mayv be similar in construction and operation to those which also supplies the control box 8 with the necessary current. The action of clutches K1, K2, K3 and K4 is controlled through wires 50|, 502, 503 and 50d respectively, all leading into control box and connected with their respective relays and control apparatus (not shown). Low voltage wires 30! and 30| and wires 5&0 and 5H also connected to the control box lead to the pit switch and the table limit switch 293, respectively.

At the beginning of a game before throwing a ball, the motor switch is on so that shafts l5 and 22 are rotating, due to their connection with motor pulley lo described heretofore. The desired number of pins, usually ten, are standing in playing arrangement on the alley, and eleven pins are stored in the loading station or magazine M. As the ball B is thrown and drops into pit 5, a closing of contacts Billie and Silla of wires 300 and 3M, respectively, is effected after which the energization of a suitable time relay (not shown) located in the control box 3, causes an engagement of the solenoid operated clutch K1. Through gears 24 and 20 in the manner described, main cam shaft 28 rotates and effects the following operation of the machine: After the pins have come to rest, table T descends and picks up any standing pins, after which the table ascends again. Sweep F then sweeps any fallen pins on the alley or in the gutters into pit 5. Spreaders 280 and support 295 are operated so that pins in magazine M are repositioned and supported as. described hereinabove. As the table moves to its uppermost position, the pin grippers 00 which have, in the meantime, lifted ten properly positioned pins out of the magazine M, move into pin playing arrangement above table T, and deposit the pins carried thereby into the spotter cups H0. Since at this time solenoid K4 is energized, frame N is raised leaving a set of pins in spotter cups Ill), and grippers 68 are returned to their original positions adjacent magazine M. As soon as grippers Sil have returned to this position, the solenoid of clutch K4 is de-energized to effect a disengagement of cam 'I4 from the main cam shaft 28 thereby incapacitating the mechanism which raises and lowers frame N relative to spotter cups H0. Table T then descends again and respots the pins picked up before on the alley, and ascends again. During this movement table 'I' also carries the ten pins deposited in the spotter cups H0 by the grippers 68. As soon as ten pins are lifted out of the spirals 38 by the grippers 153 and have moved clear thereof, the solenoid of the loading clutch K2, on sprocket 32 is energized. This effects the drive of shaft 34 which actuates the loading conveyor mechanisms C, E and 38 and feeds pins from chamber 3 back of bumper W towards and into magazine M. As soon as respotting cups H2 have respotted the pins on the alley, table T ascends again and since the first cycle is now completed, all solenoid operated clutches are disengaged through the electrical control mechanism. The player then throws the second ball which ball, upon landing in pit 5, closes contacts 30011 and 35m, effecting again the engagement of the solenoid operated main clutch K1 on gear 24 which in turn through gear 26 drives the main cam shaft 28. The operation of the machine is now as follows:

After the ball is thrown and the pins have come to rest, table T descends and the positions of any standing pins are made known to the player by means of a suitable annunciator (not shown) At this time respotters H2 are inoperative to lift such standing pins and, therefore, do not pick them up. Table T then ascends, and all pins fallen and standing are swept into the pit 5. Table T, carrying ten pins in its spotter cups, then turns since at that moment the solenoid operated clutch K4 is engaged again, and descends to place the ten pins in playing or onspot positions on the alley for the next play and the pins are released from spotters H0, after which table T ascends again and turns 180 to resume its original position. In the meantime all pins are elevated by conveyor E and conveyed by conveyor C into the magazine M which now again holds eleven pins ready for the next play. At the time pins are delivered to magazine M spreaders 280 and H-member 2&5 are inoperative. This makes it possible for any pins conveyed by conveyors C and E to move into magazine M without interference. After the completion of the cycle, the machine stops and is ready for a new play.

The operation of the machine, as described above, takes place during a normal two ball frame. If a strike is made on the first ball and all pins are knocked down thereby, the ball arriving in pit 5 closes contacts 300er and 30m of wires 300 and 30| in the same manner as in the case of the rst ball of any frame, thereby causing the operation of solenoid operated clutch K1 and the main cam shaft 28 rotates. Table 'I' descends, the annunciator (not shown) indicates that a strike has been made and table T ascends to locate pin spotters l I0 carried thereby in pin receiving position relative to grippers 05 which have moved with the required numb-er of located pins from magazine M into pin delivering position above the spotters H0. Sweep F then sweeps the fallen pins from the alley or gutters into pit 5. Frame N which supports the grippers 68 is lowered relative to the spotters ||0 and a new set of pins is delivered to the spotters. The frame N is then moved upwardly away from the pins which are gripped by the spotters H0. As soon as the grippers S8 have returned to their original position adjacent the magazine M, clutch K4 is engaged, again table T is turned 180, and the table descends to place the ten pins carried in the spotters lili in playing or on spot position, and the pins are released from the spotters H0 upon the alley after which table T ascends again and turns 180 to resume its original position. In the meantime all pins are elevated from chamber 3 back of bumper W by conveyor E and conveyed by conveyor C into the magazine M. There are now ten pins standing on the alley and the machine is ready for the rst ball of the next frame.

The solenoid controlled sweep clutch K3 is only disengaged at the occasion of an off-center pin after the rst ball of a frame is rolled, when the operation of the sweep is undesirable.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular device, selected to illustrate the invention, is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same. It is not, therefore, to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What I claim is:

l. In a bowling pin setting machine, a magazine for holding a plurality of bowling pins, a pin setter, pin spotters mounted on said setter,

lpin transfers for gripping, removing and transferring pins from said magazine to said spotters,

mechanism .for actuating .said transfers after each rst ball of .la frame is thrown and vprior to the rolling of the second ball of .a normal two ball frame or :the first ball of the next `frame if strike occurs to Aremove a new set .of pins from magazine and .deposit said set of pins in said spotters, and selectively operated means adapted to move said setter to pin spotting osi tion adjacent a bowling alley and locate said po ters in pin delivering position relative to `aid alley.

2. In a bowling pin setting machine having a magazine adapted to hold a plurality of bowling pins in side by side upright aligned arrangement, a pin setter, vspotters kon said pin setter, individualiy and differentially movable pin transfers for gripping and moving pinsv from said magazine into pin delivery arrangement above said spotters, and mechanism operative only after each first ball `of' a frame is thrown and before the next ball of the same frame is rolled in a normal two ball frame .for actuating said transfers to effect relative vertical movement between said transfers `and said spotters whereby said pins in said transfers are removed from said magazine and delivered by said transfers into said spotters and released from said transfers.

2i. n a bowling pin setting machine having a magazine adapted to hold a plurality `of bowling pins in side by side upright aligned arrangement, a pin setter, spotters on ksaid pin setter, individually and differentially movable pin transfers for gripping and moving pins from said magazine into substantially triangular arrangement above said spotters, 'mechanism for actuating transfers after each first ball only of a frame is thrown and prior to .the rolling of the next ball of said frame, said mechanism including means for moving said transfers horizontally, means to effect relative vertical movement between said transfers and said spotters whereby said pins in said transfers are delivered into said spotters, and selectively operated mechanism actuated in response to the number of pins knocked down by the first ball of a frame for controlling the movement of said pin setter to place a new set of pins on said alley or reset pins remaining standing on said alley after a first ball of a frame is thrown.

In a bowling pin setting machine having a in loading station and a pin delivery station, in transfers for removing pins from said loadstation and conveying said pins 'to said de- :very station, mechanism for actuating said ansfers to effect the movement of pins to said eiivery station after each first ball of the frame s rolled and before the next ball is rolled, said mechanism for actuating said transfers including a cam shaft, a cam xed to said shaft, a cam loosely mounted on said shaft, and means connecting said last named cam to said shaft only after each rst ball of a frame is rolled.

5. fin a bowling pin setting machine having a pin setter, said setter being provided with pin spotters and respotters, a sweep, a guard, a device for removing pins and balls from the pit of a bowling alley, and transfers for conveying bowling pins from a loading station and delivering the same into said spotters, transfer actuating means, cams for actuating said sweep, said and said device, respectively, said trans- ,fer actuating means including a cam for operating said transfer actuating means for imparting substantially straight line motion to said transiva fers, Va single cam shaft to which said cams are secured, means for driving said shaft cyclically, a cam for imparting substantially vertical movement to said transfers loosely mounted on said cam shaft, and selectively operated clutch mechanism for connecting said last-named cam to said shaft whenever pins are to be conveyed by said transfers into said spotters, said cams for imparting substantially straight line movement to said transfers and said cam loosely mounted on said shaft being constructed and arranged to coast and provide a combined substantially arcuate path of movement to said transfers in removing pins from said magazine and delivering said pins to said spotters when said loosely mounted cam is connected to said shaft.

G. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley, said machine having a pin loading station including' means for supporting a plurality of bowling pins, a pin setter, pin spotters mounted on said setter, pin respotters also mounted on said setter for replacing pins in on or off-spot playing positions on said alley, pin transfers for transferring pins from said loading station to said spotters, mechanism for moving said setter to a position adjacent said alley to locate said respotters in position to grip standing pins after the throwing of each first ball of a frame and for raising said setter, and means for actuating said transfers after the raising of said setter to effect the removal of a set of pins from said station, and the delivery thereof by said transfers into said spotters, said setter moving mechanism including means operative after the delivery of a set of pins to said spotters to lower said setter containing a set of pins in said spotters and lifted pins in said respotters to replace said lifted pins held in respotters on said alley, said last-named mechanism also including means for lowering said setter after the rolling of the last ball of a frame, and means for spotting said pins in said spotters on said alley.

'7. In a bowling pin setting machine having a pin magazine, a pin setter having a plurality of pin spotters, conveying means for removing pins from the pit of a bowling alley, and returning said pins to said magazine, a pin transfer including travelling pin grippers for conveying pins from said magazine to said spotters, and mechanism for actuating said transfer after the first ball of a frame is rolled regardless of the number of pins knocked down thereby to remove a set of pins from said magazine and convey said set of pins to said spotters, said mechanism including a selectively operated device for imparting vertical movement to said transfer and grippers, said actuating mechanism also including means for imparting back and forth movement to said grippers, and means operative only when pins are to be delivered from said magazine to said spotters for actuating said mechanism and said last-named means move said transfer grippers in a substantially arcuate path of travel and deliver pins from said magazine into said spotters.

8. In a bowling pin setting machine having a pin loading station, and conveying mechanism for conveying pins from the pit of a bowling alley to said station, a pin setter, pin spotters mounted on said setter, pin respotters also mounted on said resetter, setter operating mechanism, means for operating said mechanism after the rst ball of a frame is rolled for moving said setter to a position adjacent said alley to locate 75 said respotters in position to test for any standing pins, means for operating said respotters to grip and hold any standing pins, means for raising said setter to cause said respotters to lift said standing pins, a pin transfer, means for actuating said transfer after the first ball of a frame is rolled and While said last-,named pins are held by said respotters to deliver a set of pins from said station into said spotters, said setter operating mechanism including means to lower said setter prior to the rolling of the next ball of the same frame with a set of pins in said spotters and reset any lifted pins on said alley in on or off-spot positions, means for operating said respotters to release said lifted pins for relocation on 4said alley in said on or o-spot positions, and means for actuating said setter 0perating mechanism to move said setter to pin delivery position adjacent said alley for placing a new set of pins on said alley.

9. In a bowling pin setting machine having a pin setter, said setter being provided with pin spotters and respotters, a sweep, a guard, a device for removing pins and balls from the pit of a bowling alley, and transfers for conveying bowling pins from a loading station and delivering the same into said spotters, transfer actuating means, a cam shaft, cams fixed to said shaft for actuating said sweep, said guard, said device and said transfer actuating means for imparting' substantially straight line movement to said transfers respectively, a cam loosely supported on said shaft, said cam having a track for turning said setter to locate said spotters in position to receive pins from said transfers and in position to deliver pins held in said spotters to said alley, said cam also having a track to impart substantially vertical movement to said transfers to effect relatively vertical delivery movement between said transfers and said setter in delivering pins to said spotters, and selectively operated clutch mechanism for connecting said cam to said shaft, said cams for imparting substantially straight line movement to said transfers and said cam loosely mounted on said shaft being constructed and arranged to coact and 4 provide a combined substantially arcuate path of movement to said transfers in removing pins from said magazine and delivering said pins to said spotters when said loosely mounted cam is connected to said shaft.

10. In a bowling pin setting machine having a pin loading station, and conveying mechanism for conveying pins from the pit of a bowling alley to said station, a pin setter, pin spotters mounted on said setter, pin respotters also mounted on said resetter, means operative after the first ball of a frame is rolled for moving said setter to a position adjacent said alley to locate said respotters in position to test for any standing pins, means for operating said respotters to grip and hold said standing pins, mechanism for raising said setter to cause said respotters to lift said standing pins, a pin transfer, means for moving said transfer to convey a set of pins from said station to said spotters While said setter is raised and said pins in said respotters are held thereby, said last-named mechanism being also constructed and arranged to move said table downwardly to reset said pins on said alley and upwardly with pins in said spotters to a position of dwell above said alley,

. means for actuating said transfer moving means only after the first ball of a frame is rolled to cause said transfer to deliver a full set of pins from said station into said spotters, to make available said pins in said spotters for setting and clear said station for the return of pins knocked down by the first ball of a frame, and means for actuating said setter operating mechanism to move said setter to pin delivery position adjacent said alley to place a set of pins on said f alley.

GOTTFRIED J. SCHMIDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,017,143 Bentz Oct. 15, 1935 2,298,718 Nejedly Oct. 13, 1942 2,388,708 Bates Nov. 13, 1945 2,411,348 Turner Nov. 19, 1946 

